2019-03 Melbourne

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THE TEAM

Wespendourtime tellingyourstories

PUBLISHER

Pawan Luthra

EDITOR

Rajni Anand Luthra

SOCIAL MEDIA

Neha Malude

MELBOURNE COORDINATOR

Preeti Jabbal

CONTRIBUTORS

Pulwama attack: What we can do

BY PAWAN LUTHRA

Jyoti

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There’s been an outpouring of nationalism in Australia’s Indian community.

As India reels from a heinous terrorist attack that took 49 lives, community-based social media and radio platforms have been abuzz with tributes to the fallen, condemnation of the mentality that perpetrates such acts, and some pretty intense discussion about the larger Kashmir conundrum.

On 14 Feb, a car driven by 22-year-old suicide bomber Adil Ahmad Dar, a Kashmiri local, was responsible for the devastation of a convoy of trucks with CRPF personnel enroute from Jammu to Srinagar.

Shortly after the attack, the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed, through its leader Masood Azhar, claimed responsibility for this act of terrorism.

Indians in Australia joined their compatriots in mourning. Community groups organised peaceful gatherings in all

capital cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Now over 700,000 strong in Australia, the community becomes mobilised within hours, thanks to social media.

These gatherings, while largely peaceful, also pointed fingers at Pakistan for harbouring terrorist organisations: calls were made at each meeting to highlight these alliances of the Pakistan government and its intelligence agencies.

Meanwhile, messages of condolence were issued from the Australian government at the highest levels - both Federal and State - to the Indian Prime Minister. The question is, is this enough, or should the Indian Australian community ask more of the Australian government? Can the 30 million strong global Indian diaspora put pressure on the governments of their adopted countries to move strongly against cross border terrorism?

You don’t need to see the made-inAustralia movie Hotel Mumbai to learn how cross border terrorism is sanctioned in Pakistan. The horrific 2008 attacks on Mumbai (now referred to as 26/11) killed 174 innocent people: they were coordinated in real time via satellite phones by handlers of the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan. Till date, while the rest of the

world is in agreement to the identity and current location in Pakistan, of those coordinating these attacks, little has been done to bring them to justice. Not only this, but there is evidence of Pakistan’s connivance in other terrorist attacks in India (2001 Indian Parliament, Pathankot Air Force base in 2016, Uri Army base in 2016). Perhaps Indian-Australians, either in a single petition or individually, could write to their local and federal members urging them to put the issue on the table condemning Pakistan for supporting cross border terrorism. Diplomatic pressure needs to be exerted to stop such attacks on India.

We have witnessed over the years an increasing presence of politicians of all persuasions at community gatherings, introducing themselves and soliciting our votes. Now is the time to ask for something in return. While community peace gatherings are a wonderful way to show our support for our country of birth, now is also the time to ask our leaders for more. The elections in NSW are around the corner, and Federal elections are not too far off. Now is the time to get our voice heard; it is also an opportunity for the Australian Government to stand for what is just and right, and speak out against cross border terrorism in other parts of the world.

Shankar, Frankey Gerard Fernandes, Devna Luthra, Sahibnoor Singh, Neha Malude, Dipanjali Rao, Petra O’Neill, Minal Khona, Auntyji

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YOUR SAY

PULWAMA

India was plunged into a state of shock in mid-Feb as a convoy of soldiers was attacked by a suicide bomber in Kashmir’s Pulwama region. 49 men lost their lives. 13-year-old Bangalore girl SAANVI TARA sent us this poem, capturing the mood of a nation in mourning.

LANTERNS

You were just born and it was a boon, Why do we have to mourn so soon? It was on the 14th of February, The soldiers were tired and weary. All was well but turned into hell. Around three 'o' clock, The Country got a shock.

A boy no older than seventeen, Was the cause of this bloodstream. So people of my nation, Well up tears in your eyes. But not of regret

Why should we take it as a threat?

These butterflies spread their sail on the sea of light, We won't give up without a fight. India salutes the bravehearts, The martyrs, the gallants. So let's light the lantern And unleash their return.

Rashmi Sharma wrote: Nice work.

Sonal Tara wrote: You pour your heart out. Jai Hind.

Garimaa Upadhyay wrote: Yes you really put your heart out - shows the emotion that every deshbhakt is going through. Salute to our martyrs.

Meena Sharma wrote: Beautifully penned to salute the bravehearts.

Supriya S Gainder wrote: Very well written.

Sheilly Sharma wrote: Way to go Saanvi, so very proud of you. Really very touching. Salute and gratitude to the martyrs.

Sathi Ramanujan wrote: God bless you for sharing the valuable thoughts.

Manjit Kaur wrote: Beautiful words.

Saanvi Tara wrote: Thank you Indian Link for giving me this platform.

SAY IT AGAIN

SPICE ADVENTURES

We are so proud of Indian Link writer Dhanya Samuel, who for the fourth year in a row, was named Aus Good Food Guide’s Top 10 Bloggers in 2019. Check out her award-winning blog ‘The Spice Adventuress’

Rajni Anand Luthra wrote: Congrats Dhanya, so proud!

Neha Malude wrote: Always love your innovative recipes and the beautiful pictures, Dhanya.

Pakistan must take urgent and meaningful action against terrorist groups in its territory, including Jaish-E-Mohammed which has claimed responsibility for the 14 Feb bombing. It can no longer allow extremist groups the legal and physical space to operate from its territory.

Marise Payne, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs

MEAT-LACED CURRENCY

DIPANJALI RAO wrote on a Hindu group’s protest about animal fat being used to make Australian money, and cited other aspects of animal cruelty that might well do with similar protest.

Darshak Mehta wrote: A very thoughtful article on our hypocrisy about beef. It is a considerably more complicated issue than the one that the "Hindutva" lobby of Indians (incl. NRIs) want to tackle. Are we mindful of the rights of ALL animals? I am certainly NOT, but will improve.

Kshama Mehta Patel wrote: I so agree on this; we just symbolise cow but do not care for it beyond that. However, on the other hand, why not be sensitive to all the animals? All lives deserve the same respect.

Sandeep Reddy wrote: A well-written commentary, Dipa. Saurabh Mehta wrote: Have (these protestors) nothing better to do?

Varun Goyal wrote: Why would anyone need beef to make currency notes, seriously?

Kapil Vatsa wrote: And if you purchase beef with it, would it be a beef-to-beef transaction?

Dipanjali Rao asked: How about respecting cows and not consuming dairy, dear NRI Hindus?

Anu Krishnan wrote: Dear NRI (Universal Society of Hinduism) Member, let’s start by respecting all animals: say no to leather seats in cars, leather furniture at home, leather clothing, shoes and sundry items, goose feather quilts, unethically sourced soap, and most important, let’s stop feeding cows all types of human food in the interest of improving personal fortune.

Vijay Bongale wrote: Are you for real (for protesting in this manner)? Doesn’t humanity come before religious beliefs?

Al Saran wrote: (This protest is) pure lunacy.

WHERE IN AUSTRALIA?

We shared a pic of this haunting tunnel, shining with glow worms. Readers Bipsha Poddar Saha, Chitra Iyer, Dale Moon, Sachin Wakhare, Anurag Singh, Amal Wilson and Utsav Patel correctly identified it as Picton tunnels in Helensburg NSW.

I know this observation is hardly new but the digital economy still has the power to stun me. I'm on a long bus ride in rural India and via a hotspot to my laptop and cheap data, dealing with HR contracts & student admin in Sydney, while listening to the Sunnyboys via bluetooth.

Bill Pritchard, USyd Prof (Human Geography)

SERVICE TO COMMUNITY

PREETI JABBAL wrote about community leader Shashi Kochhar’s inspirational story. Harinder Sidhu (Australian High Commissioner to India) wrote, retweeting this story: Our relationship with India is built on our strong people-to-people links, and stories like Shashi Kochhar’s are a case in point. Recipient of Sir John Monash Multicultural Champion Award 2018, Shashi shares his journey from India to Australia.

Rajni Kanodia wrote: Awesome contributions to the community. Well-deserved recognition!

Mala Desai wrote: Wonderful tribute to a remarkable person.

Tara Chandramouli wrote: Great achievement, congratulations.

Hardeep Madan wrote: Excellent work. A well deserved recognition for your service to society. So proud of you Shashi ji.

Somya Kanodia Rastogi wrote: Fantastic achievement - something we can all learn from!

KINDY KIDS

At the start of the new school year, we ran a photo feature of young kids from our community who started ‘big school’.

Preet Singla wrote: Your page on the little kids who started school this year, was pleasant to read. It brought it all back to me, having been through it as a stay-at-home mum with three kids, who are now all grown up and in the work force. I wish the ‘kindy mums’ all the best and hope they will enjoy their children’s school years.

An observation, if I may. The children have such fascinating -and different - Hindustani names! I suppose it is the trend these days, but am I to assume Anil, Sunil, Rakesh, Praveen, Ajay, Vijay (names from my generation) are now dead, never to be resuscitated? Couldn’t help noticing also, the over-abundance of names starting with A: Aaryan, Aarya, Ayushman, Ayaan, Anahat, Aum, Atharv. (Surely that last one would be a difficult name in an Australian setting.) Makes me wonder what names my as-yet unborn grandkids will have!

Nimisha Modi wrote: Year after year it is the same feeling on their first day when the little ones go back to school. All parents must feel proud to see them. I see a little me in my child when I drop off now outside the gate, and he walks in with his school bag.

CAPTION CONTEST

What’s the chitchat here between Ranbir and Alia?

Rishi Singh wrote: Hope this is not another 'Deepika' prank that you are playing on me, Ranbir.

Shweta Dogra wrote: Where do you want to go for destination wedding?

Rachna Gupta wrote: As long as that’s our wedding card in your hand, with my name on it, I'm all smiles.

Vandana D'souza wrote: Ranbir: I have the book of life in my hands. I think you’re in it. Alia: Ditto.

Ash Ash wrote: What you doing tonight after this?

Sanjana Vyas wrote: Alia: So awkward having these cameras in our face… I’m just going to pretend to read this. Ranbir: Me too.

Sahdev Vani wrote: Aayla, Aalia, apna time aayega, apun dono bhi shaadi baaneyen ga.!

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

Something I really strive for with my students is for them to understand they have a place in the world and to help them find their voice. That’s why it’s so important to teach the humanities, and it’s so important for students to see that Australia is multicultural and they do belong here.

Yasodai Selvakumaran, SriLankan born Australian teacher, 31, named one of the top ten educators in the world

Thank you so much for the love and positivity. Words can’t describe how much it means. I appreciate you all. Group hug. Lily Singh, Indian-origin Canadian author and entertainer who came out as bisexual

FOR PEACE, FOR PULWAMA

There is sorrow and anger as the Indian-Australian community pay homage to slain soldiers in Kashmir

Sydney Indians march to Pak consulate

Aday after a peaceful homage to the martyrs of the Pulwama terrorist attack, a group of about 100 protesters took to the streets of Sydney. With placards urging Pakistan to stop supporting terrorism, the protestors marched from Town Hall to the Pakistani Consulate in Pitt Street in the CBD.

Their passion was clearly on full display as their chants of Bharat Mata ki Jai (Hail Mother India), Vande Matram (I bow to the motherland) and Pakistan Murdabad (Down with Pakistan) drew the attention of the

lunch-time city crowd. Curious onlookers from office buildings watched as the group, some draped in the Indian tricolour, staged their protest, escorted by about half a dozen members of the NSW Police.

Reaching Martin Place, a small group was then escorted across the road to the Pakistan Consulate in Pitt Street.

It had been agreed that half a dozen representatives will present a petition signed by 27 local Indian Australian associations calling on Pakistan to stop harbouring and giving refuge to declared terrorists. However, police informed the

protestors that the Pakistan Consulate was no longer available to receive or meet with anyone as it was past the 1 pm public visiting hours. The Pakistan Consulate had suggested that the petition be handed over to the police who would pass it on to them.

The protestors dispersed peacefully after ensuring their voices were heard and their written word reached its destination.

Pawan Luthra

To make a donation to the martyred soldiers’ families, head to bharatkeveer.gov.in

the recent attack on Feb 14th. We strongly demand that Pakistan take strong actions against terrorism and terrorist by

Stop terrorist training camps in Pakistan

Vic Parliament

Nearly 300 people gathered at the steps of the Victorian parliament in a peaceful protest against the horrendous attack in Kashmir’s Pulwana district. Organised by community volunteer Karthik Arasu, the group included many leading lights from Melbourne’s Indian community, men, women and children.

They came armed with placards and the Indian flag, and many of them took to the microphone in tribute to the fallen soldiers. Arasu himself called for an end to the violence and terrorism, emphasising that peace and love are what the Indian culture is all about.

Speaking to Indian Link about how the event came to be organised, he said, “There was pain and anguish, as the news came through, and of course anger too.

I wondered how we could register this sentiment, and show our solidarity with the nation. Coming together at the Victorian Parliament gave us an opportunity to vent and express our emotions to the world. I think we did that peacefully.”

Sentiments were running high – as they are even now – and everyone shared openly, in their own way. Much sloganeering, and calls for Indian Australians to contribute in whatever way they can.

Arasu added, “Our main motto was to stop terrorism in any form.”

He revealed that there is some discussion about registering protest in front of the Pakistan consulate, but much careful thought is going into it.

“Deliberations are ongoing at this very moment about whether such a step is required, and whether it is the right thing to do. Because we are all certain that the last thing we want to do, is to propagate hate.”

Photos: Senthill Sundaram, Karthik Arasu

Jennifer Star OAM

Changing lives one child at a time

Two inspirational young women won OAMs this Australia Day for their work in India.

JYOTI SHANKAR reports

Accolades are not new to Jennifer Star. She graduated with First Class Honours from Macquarie University, represented Australia in Judo and achieved a bronze medal in the 2005 Youth Olympics, was named one of Australia’s 100 Brightest Young Minds in 2007 and won the 2012 NSW Young Australian of the Year.

This year she was declared a winner of Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

This last award, bestowed on Australia Day 2019, was given for her contributions to education.

Jennifer’s OAM citation commends her decade and over of work in the education sector supporting teachers to improve the quality of education for children in India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

Never would have Jennifer imagined when she travelled to India that one day her life would be so involved with education.

She was studying to become an archaeologist, and though her father was a teacher, she herself was not inclined towards teaching. Until India happened. The reality of life in India changed her world view. Simple resources like classrooms, desks and books, taken for granted by students in Australia, were non-existent. Jennifer was appalled at the difference in the educational facilities but realised the exponential impact a single teacher could make on many lives. She returned home to Australia from her travels and decided to train to be a teacher.

Jennifer started Tara Ed in 2008 to improve the quality of education in India by training teachers. Starting with one school, 12 teachers and 400 children, Tara Ed aimed to improve the prospects of 20,000 children, 200 teachers and 20 schools by 2020. Now ten years on, this innovative organisation has trained over 600 teachers across the three countries of India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, and impacted the lives of 18,200 children.And counting.

Jennifer returned to India after training as a teacher and has been living in New Delhi for the past nine years. She is very much at home in India now, comfortably navigating the cultural diversity of the country.

“I think I am more comfortable in India than Australia!” she declares.

While Tara Ed works predominantly in Maharashtra and Karnataka, Jennifer has also worked in schools in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi.

“As I am based in Delhi, I speak passable Hindi and have a few words of Marathi,

Training teachers in India Jennifer Star, OAM

Bengali and Kannada,” says Jennifer, at ease in the Indian saree and salwar-kameez attire too.

Though a 100% volunteer-based organisation, Tara Ed has been successful because of the passion of volunteer teachers who have over the years put in over 35,000 hours in training local teachers. Its programs bring Australian teachers and pre-service teachers to India on a four-week immersion program in an Indian school. Jennifer explains that over the four-week period, each Australian teacher is paired with an Indian teacher. They collaborate with each other to complete an action research project.

“The collaborative nature of the program means there is great learning for both the Indian and Australian teacher, and the friendship often continues after the actual

program finishes,” Jennifer observes.

“In fact, the Tara.Ed Teacher Tour program often starts a relationship with India that continues throughout their career. Australian teachers have returned to India to travel or volunteer, they teach their students in Australia about India and generally have become great advocates for India and its people,” she adds.

This mentoring model has worked so well that Tara.Ed has now created an online platform to train, support and empower returned refugees in Afghanistan to provide education for the next generation and help rebuild communities. While Australian teachers cannot physically travel to these conflict zones, they volunteer their time online to mentor an Afghani teacher over a period of 6 months. Jennifer is excited about this newest project empowering teachers in war-torn Afghanistan to implement microteaching innovations in the classroom. “So far we have trained 46 teachers, who have gone on to teach 5650 students in Afghanistan who otherwise wouldn't have access to education,” she says with justifiable pride.

Teaching is now the subject of Jennifer’s

PhD, investigating how teacher training and professional learning programs can be improved to develop high quality teachers that can cater to diverse classrooms. “Much of what I learn through my research is channelled back into Tara Ed's teacher training programs to ensure that everything we do is evidence based, best practice,” she says.

Jennifer Star is an inspiration to all around her. Doing good for others on one’s chosen scale, whether it is for one person or for many people thousands of miles away, gives one a contentment that only comes with giving. For Jennifer this has become her life’s mission. Shesays, “There are always challenges that come with running a volunteer organisation, but seeing the kids who benefit makes it worth it!”

Besides education, Judo has been a large part of Jennifer’s life. She retired from international competition in 2012 but says “Judo has followed me wherever I go. I always wanted to find a way to give back to the sport and jumped at the opportunity to teach girls in Delhi. It is often the highlight of my week but I am currently on maternity leave and really miss this aspect of my life.”

Ten years on, Jennifer Star’s Tara Ed has trained over 600 teachers across the three countries of India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, and impacted the lives of 18,200 children

F"or service to international relations through educational and business initiatives”, reads Hayley Bolding’s citation on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). This service is rendered through Atma, an organisation that Hayley founded when she was only 22. Reminiscing on her early days, she says, “I went to India to volunteer and see the world. It was meant to be for 6 months and ended up being 9 years.”

Hayley observed the stark realities of schools in Mumbai trying to proffer an education to vulnerable sections of society with little resources. However, instead of being overwhelmed, Hayley used her anger and anguish to channelise her energies to set about creating Atma, an organisation that supports those who support others, namely the educational institutions working at grassroots, to deliver quality education. She saw an urgent need for capacity building across such organisations and instead of reinventing the wheel she decided to be the oil in the wheel that helps it run smoothly over bumpy paths.

Atma’s programs have since supported thousands of children and young adults through school, health and nutrition programs, night schools and kindergartens and a skills centre in Dharavi, Mumbai’s biggest slum. All this and more has been achieved by partnering with over sixty NGOs who impact the lives of over 16,00,000 children. Over 400 volunteers from more than 25 countries have been a part of the Atma Volunteer Program, helping NGOs and enterprises in Mumbai and Pune to grow and achieve more than they could have by themselves alone.

Hayley understands that systemic challenges that face the educational NGOs cannot be dealt with overnight or single-handedly. She surmised that with proper support, these educators could widen their outreach and their impact.

“After all, they are educators, not strategic planners or fund raisers,” says Hayley. She describes Atma as an “education accelerator”; hastening and multiplying the impacts that educators alone could possibly have on those who need them most.

“I was so humbled by the people who work so tirelessly on the ground, and these were

Helping Indian NGOs to grow Hayley Bolding, OAM

usually women,” says Hayley, recollecting the genesis of Atma.

The mission of accelerating the goals of Atma itself meant that Hayley has to often travel back and forth between India and Australia. Over the past 12 years, Atma has grown manifold. Besides a physical presence in Mumbai and Pune, it has now expanded to reach across multiple states within India, and across countries, with its online open source resources and virtual support offering.

“The more we help others, the more we know how to help better,” says Hayley happily.

How does the Atma model actually work? Atma helps organisations evaluate where they are at and make a plan moving forward. This evaluation model covers areas relating to the organisation’s governance, how they

communicate their work externally, and a range of other key factors that could take them to the next level of service.

“The difference is Atma’s hands-on relationship with organisations and this could be from a minimum of one year to up to three years,” explains Hayley. “We want to help organisations grow at a pace they want to but we want to also push them towards excellence, to reach out and do more”.

A team of professionals now run the organisation in India. “My work is now leading Atma Australia. I work to raise awareness and to raise funds to support Atma’s work in India,” says Hayley who balances this with her job as Executive Director Programs for Practera, delivering experiential learning programs.

A recent grant from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to run a pilot for employability skills technology in India means another opportunity to visit India. Hayley looks forward to such opportunities to engage with and visit India.

“My involvement with the Australia India Youth Dialogue since many years helps me connect to India even back here in Australia,” says Hayley, whose second home is now India.

When asked if she has ever felt overwhelmed by the scale of issues or doubted the extent of impact Atma could make, Hayley admits, “It can feel like that often in India.”

Without romanticising her ideas or glorifying her contribution, she conveys the extent of Atma’s impact over the years with a passion, “Atma may be a drop in the ocean but it is a good drop. By not worrying about failure but making sure things that you do are of a high quality and standard, I believe we can cause a ripple. We had no idea how big Atma would grow but it is the proof that if you start small, it will grow as long the intention is genuine and authentic at the core, and you surround yourself with people who have high standards.”

Hayley says that Atma’s phenomenal growth

from small beginnings has been organic. It is her passion for her beliefs that has created ripple effects and has brought people to work with Atma tirelessly to achieve their goals. However, there is no resting on laurels for this young lady. Humbled by the acknowledgement of her work through the OAM, she is also starkly aware of the unfinished work ahead. “There is always more to do,” says Hayley ready to take on more challenges.

Atma’s programs have supported thousands of children and young adults through school, health and nutrition programs, night schools and kindergartens and a skills centre in Dharavi, Mumbai’s biggest slum.

GOAN VOICE

The Goan Overseas of Association (GOA) of Victoria, marked its 40th anniversary in February

THE EVENTS

THE NEED

BY FRANKEY FERNANDES

Migrants of Goan origin who moved to Australia from different countries in the seventies would yearn for contact with their kinsmen, to share good times and adjust better into the new country. Without emails, social media, mobile phones and the like, making contact with other Goans was often a chance event.

Pining for the good times and life that they had left behind, one full of laughter, sports, dances, music, fun and excitement, was a constant theme for many Goan migrants.

A chance meeting between Tony (Antonio) De Sousa, who migrated from Hong Kong, and Carmen Rodrigues at an office in Richmond, saw them discussing challenges in assimilating. This became the seed that blossomed into the Goan Overseas of Association (GOA) of Victoria.

“They knew that there would be so many others facing the same dilemma,” recalls GOA (Victoria) founding member and former president Wence Rodrigues.

THE FORMATION

Dreams of setting up a Goan association catering to the new migrants who called Melbourne their home were discussed at their homes in Glen Waverley and Malvern.

“Tony organised a meeting and whoever could be contacted and responded, were invited to a meeting. This resulted in the formation of the Goan Overseas Association of Victoria in January 1979,” said Rodrigues.

“Initially, functions were small, low key events due to insufficient members to hire halls and bands. With word of mouth marketing and flyers, the membership grew steadily,” Rodrigues revealed. “Encouraging new migrants to join the association resulted in an increase in the membership. The association offered members a meeting place to share their stories, exchange information on where one could get spices and condiments from back home, and generally have fun and a feeling of belonging,”

Social events grew, and dances, bingo nights and card events came to be organised.

Recalls another GOA (Victoria) founding member Clim Pacheco, who has been a regular on the committee, “Sport was an integral part of the association and a hockey team was formed to enable youngsters to play summer hockey and to give them starting blocks to integrate into mainstream sports teams.”

As enthusiasm for sports grew, Ruth and Nobby Da Costa worked with their friends in NSW and initiated a joint sports weekend with members of the Goan Association in NSW in Sydney over the Easter weekend. The event became a regular bi-annual arrangement between the two associations, which broadened horizons and relationships with like-minded members across both states.

THE FORMALISATION

The philosophy of the association was simple. A place to enable Goans from different countries to meet, have social events, play sports and generally get back a life that they had known, but with the fundamental purpose of seeing that they then assimilated into the mainstream Australian life.

“As the association grew, it was decided to become an incorporated organisation to safeguard membership and organisers from any liabilities. The draft approved by members at a general meeting was submitted for approval by Corporate Affairs of Victoria and this led to the formation of The Goan Overseas Association of Victoria Inc.,” said Rodrigues.

THE VISION

“We salute those who had the vision and dedication to form the association, a beacon of light for current and future generations to learn and appreciate Goan culture,” said Pacheco.

The highlight of the 40th anniversary of GOA Victoria on February 9 was the Goans Association of Australia Inc., (GAA) joining hands with the GOA Victoria, which now has 400 families in its fold.

Gerard Lobo gave up his duly elected presidency of GAA, dissolved the body and seamlessly along with his entire team and members joined hands with the GOA Victoria.

To learn more, visit www.goav.org.au

Kantharsis

BY Preeti Jabbal

The centuries old textile tradition of Kantha provides the inspiration, material and method as well as catharsis for Brisbane artist Natasha Narain, who showcased her work in Melbourne recently.

A selection of works from her broader oeuvre, that includes paintings, artist books, prayer wheels and doll goddesses, is currently on display at the Walker Street Gallery in Dandenong.

For the exhibition ‘A Kantha Garden for her’ Natasha drove her portable canvasses 1720 km from Brisbane to Melbourne in what she describes as her most memorable trip.

She dedicated the exhibition to the memory of her parents, her mother having passed away just a few weeks before the event. For her first solo art launch in Melbourne, Natasha chose to drape her mother’s favourite Kantha shawl.

“I owe the legacy of Kantha to my mother Mrs. Snigdha Narain as we mourn her loss and the earlier loss of my father, Brigadier Gautam Narain,” Natasha said at the launch. “Every mark on a painting and word on paper is owed to their love and their faith in goodness and in service. I thank my parents for their gifts of resilience, integrity and prayer.”

Kantha is an embroidery craft practised by rural women of Bengal and Bangladesh to make covers and drapes for domestic, ceremonial or ritual purposes. The traditional form of Kantha embroidery was done on soft dhotis and saris, with a simple running stitch along the edges. Motifs were drawn reflecting daily lives and included colourful images of festivals, flowers, trees, vines etc. Invested with meaning, Kantha techniques and patterns were not documented but transmitted by word of mouth. This vibrant tradition, shaped mainly by women, was passed down through generations to map a family’s or a community’s history. Acting as a canvass upon which a woman could express her desires and world view, Kantha was an intergenerational form of story-telling.

As part of her research, Natasha delved into the context in which Kanthas were created and attempted to apply this knowledge without direct replication or indeterminate attribution.

“I don’t have to replicate the actual craft processes of Kantha in order to evoke its emotional significance, but apply its conceptual narrative strategies and its approach to mark-making to create a multimedia contemporary body of work,” she

As an Indian-Australian artist having spent time in both countries Natasha bridged her past to the present drawing on her diasporic journey to explore Kantha as a productive and cathartic method. Her research examined this ancestral tradition as an alternate system of knowledge rather than a women's folk craft or practice.

There was much to admire among her pieces on display,

especially the centrepiece installation that was thematically coherent and aesthetically beautiful. Cable wheels salvaged from reversed garbage made for some vibrant mandalas that were diverse in design but unified in creative context.

According to Natasha, the cable wheels when sealed and primed permit writing, drawing, painting, nailing and collage, while the wheel is turned by hand. Representing the mental, emotional and spiritual states of being, these concentric energy circles or mandalas have been a part of Natasha’s practice for over ten years.

The narrative and vibrant colours of several of her works on unstretched canvas also grabbed the eye with their strong motifs, lovingly endowed with intertwined branches and interwoven patterns, images and design. Some paintings were innovatively suspended to hang and fall into folds to resemble textile.

“I increasingly make my own images such as photographs from my life and environment, places that I travel to, people that I meet or see, photographs of existing works, and these images are collaged onto ongoing work,” said Natasha. Her exhibition allows you to touch and explore the artwork, particularly the artistically liberating memory books and reinvented dolls. An interest in goddesses that embody multiple truths and reside between realities and myth, inspired Natasha’s collection of doll goddesses.

Painting, varnishing, drawing and dressing them through intuitive and sensitive play, the artist has created an evocative interpretation of human figures. You either get drawn to its uniqueness and deviation from the norm or are shocked at the risk-taking exploration.

Similar response was received during the collateral art workshop conducted by Natasha at Dandenong Library with participants overcoming their initial reluctance to create something unusual from preloved books sourced from Salvos. Through chopping, changing, painting, drawing and challenging of the conventional book format participants created sculptural objects that would provide them with creative joy for years.

Natasha’s performative drawing on the outer glass wall of Walker Street gallery arrested people’s attention, as did her unique art that championed a distinctive, nurturing and self-reflexive approach.

Giving a contemporary interdisciplinary treatment to ancient Kantha embroidery

Natasha’s research examined this ancestral tradition as an alternate system of knowledge, rather than a women's folk craft or practice.

Natasha Narain

At its inaugural conference Elevate 2019 held in February, the Young Sikh Professionals Network (YSPN) explored the concept of sewa in a rapidly changing world.

Hosting what was described as the “largest gathering of Sikh professionals globally”, YSPN made sure the atmosphere was buzzing - with 165 local members, interstate visitors and international panellists coming together to dissect current trends and share stories of what it means to be Sikh in the working world.

Sewa, which means ‘to serve’, is a core principle of Sikhism. Chair Ramneek Singh launched the day by challenging the idea that sewa is just serving langar and doing dishes at the gurudwara once a week.

Sikhs have a proud history of driving the community forward, he said, so what does sewa mean in today’s world?

The theme was unpacked through five panel discussions, beginning with a session on the migration and development of Australia’s Sikh community. Harjit Singh, one of the co-founders of the Australian Sikh Heritage Association had the audience chuckling when he fondly referred to the community as “members of a gang”. When asked on their views about the future of the community, the panellists remarked that there is still a long way to go for the wider community to understand what a Sikh is. The audience was challenged to broaden the scope of sewa to create a more visible community.

The business and politics panels both discussed the practice of sewain professional and personal circumstances. Most of the panellists had a similar notion: that daily gestures of reaching out to your colleagues or community were forms of sewa in the modern world. Vivek Bhatia, Chief Executive Officer of QBE Insurance Group, emphasised that “sewa is not what we do on the side, it’s what we do on a day-to-day basis”. Politics itself is a form of modern day sewa, in reaching out to the community regularly.

Sikh roles in politics are becoming more prominent. Australia’s first Sikh councillor John Arkan of Coffs Harbour, stated, “In Australian history, we are entering a new era, an era of inclusion with the sight for more women and more Sikhs in parliament.”

It was the former Singapore MP, Inderjit Singh’s words that hammered in the final nail of inspiration. “In India, we are a minority. Here, we are a minority within a minority. Yet, we still make an impact.”

The panel that elicited the most laughter from the audience was the entrepreneurship panel. With four diverse guests speaking about their experiences in creating businesses under the teachings of Sikhism, the panel was sure to be a hit. But it was Simran Gambhir, the Director of Ganemo Group, who had the room in splits with his brutal honesty regarding start-up businesses. His quips ranged from “Balance is an unattainable goal as an entrepreneur”, to “Mentorship? That’s just old people telling you what they got wrong when they did it. So don’t get a mentor.”

However, the panel connected their passion to something more than just personal goals. They explained that being an entrepreneur is built into the very DNA of Sikhs. Being an entrepreneur is a sewa of its own.

For a conference aimed at the youth, there

were few young panellists on stage. It would have been interesting to see what earlycareer professionals have to say on some of these matters.

However, the event was certainly successful in inspiring the audience to reconsider and extend the notion of sewa in their contemporary lives. With the bar set high, we can’t wait to see what the conference brings next year.

Sahibnoor Singh and Devna Luthra

YSPN was formed in 2012 with the aim of empowering young Indian diaspora in the workforce by providing mentorship, developing networks and building advocacy in the Sikh and Aussie professional communities.

To learn more, visit www.yspn.org.au

Unpacking concept sewa

International Sikh conference 2019 shows how faith practices in professional

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS

YSPN launched a report entitled 'Economic conference’s gala dinner. The main

Demographics

n There are 125,000 Sikhs in Australia

n Sikhism is the fastest growing religion in Australia, with a 404% growth rate from 2006 to 2016

n Sikhs have outpaced population growth with a 17.5% annual growth rate, compared to Australia’s growth rate of 1.6%

n Sikhism is the youngest religion in Australia with 84% of the population under the age of 40

Unpacking the concept of sewa

conference Elevate faith can guide best professional life

CONTRIBUTIONS OF SIKHS TO

AUSTRALIA

'Economic Impact of Sikhs 2019' at the Elevate findings of the report are as follows.

Productivity

n 87% of the Sikh population above 15 finish secondary school, compared to 52% of the Australian population

n 70% of working aged Sikhs in Australia were employed compared to 56% of the overall working-age population

n Sikhs contributed $8.1billion to Australia’s GDP in 2016

n Australian Sikh GPD contribution grew 6 times between 2006 and 2016

BY PREETI JABBAL

Ghirija Jayarraj’s perspective comes in part from being an Australian filmmaker, and in part being an Indian classical dancer. For the most part, though, it comes from being an eternal optimist.

All three elements went into the making of her award-winning short film Touch (2017). Based on asylum seekers, the film continues to resonate nearly two years after it was made, having just come off yet another round of screenings at Perth and at Melbourne.

In between, it travelled the world, winning the Best Short Film award at Calcutta International Cult Film Festival 2016, the Best Actress award for lead actress Kani Kusruti at the Creation International Film Festival 2016, and screening at the Global Cinema Film Festival of Boston 2017.

According to Ghirija, she is essentially an artist not an activist, however it was important for her to tell the story of asylum seekers from a humanitarian angle. “Cinema is an influential medium that enables people to understand the gravity of the situation,” she told Indian Link. “My film is not an attack on anyone or anything; it just tells a story honestly.”

She continued, “Asylum seekers deserve a chance just like you and me. They are people with human emotions and have gone through so many traumas where they come from and when they come here they still don’t get a chance to live. We need to have empathy for them, we need people to be aware of this topic and we need to find ways to improve the situation.”

Sharing her experience on the making of Touch Ghirija revealed she wrote the script in two days flat.

“I tend to jump into things without thinking!” she laughed. “All I knew was that I had a story to tell. Having written it, I sat on it for some time and then rehashed it. At that time there was a threat of Ebola Virus going around. My friends warned me not to travel but I jumped on a plane nevertheless and flew to Kerala in India to shoot the 22-minute film. It’s amazing how similar Kerala’s culture is to Sri Lanka and I was more comfortable shooting there.”

It took another year for the final product to take shape.

Touchy subject

It’s another round of screenings for Ghirija Jayarraj’s short film on asylum seekers

Cinematographer Pradeep Kalipuraya is also the director of Strange, a 40-minute movie that has screened alongside Touch as part of the recent ‘Perspective’events. (Featuring Malayalee Actors Roshan Mathews and Freddy Koi Karan Strange explores a peculiar characteristic that we humans possess through a light yet thought provoking narrative.)

Creative, mindful and articulate, ‘story telling’ is Ghirija Jayarraj’s passion and filmmaking is in her DNA. In 1977 her father released a film in Sri Lanka called Kathirupen Unnakaga and her mother’s uncle S. M Nayagam was a pioneer of Sinhala cinema.

Ghirija - Bharatanatyam dancer, dance teacher, theatre producer and curator - stumbled upon film making quite by accident. In 1999 while helping her parents with their community theatre show in Western Australia, she filmed what could be considered one of the first Tamil short films in Australia called Paddikal. (Stepping Stone).

That became her stepping-stone to more short films and documentaries under Rajsha Productions. She studied film at Curtin University, specialising in directing and producing. She also started a U-Tube channel known as Shastram.

Then came an opportunity to work with asylum seekers that sowed the seeds for Touch

With nearly $20-25K spent on the film, the economic viability of such projects comes under question. Is the multicultural art scene in Australia striving or thriving?

Gjirija was quick to reply that to her, the term multicultural artist seems a bit marginalised. “We are creating work that does not cater to any particular community. It is for overall consumption. I am influenced by cinema from across the globe including India, Britain and Sri Lanka but I am an Australian artist, born and brought up here. I learnt my craft in Australia. My work is Australian and I do not like to be labelled as multicultural.”

“Artists from any country find the initial years of establishing their careers challenging. I would love to be a full time artist, however, it is my career as an auditor with a multinational company that sustains me financially. A lot of my projects have been self-funded but my work is now slowly getting recognised and I look forward to my next commercial venture,” said Ghirija candidly.

“Everyone who heard the story came on board to help, and I managed to collaborate with some of the best cinematic talent

including Kani Kusruti and Jack Prabhu from India and Melinda Di Natale and Subi Slater from Australia,” said Ghirija.

Ghirija’s goal is to make 10 short films before making a proper feature film and she is well on her way to achieve that dream.

“We are creating work that does not cater to any particular community. It is for overall consumption. I am an Australian artist, born and brought up here. I learnt my craft in Australia. My work is Australian and I do not like to be labelled as multicultural.”

First-time film-maker Leela Varghese wins big at Tropfest 2019

Crushing it

BY NEHA MALUDE

'It's the biggest highlight of my film career,” Leela Varghese tells Indian Link

The 27-year-old (with the maturity of a 22-year-old, she insists) Bundaberg-born film-maker is talking about being one of the 16 finalists in Tropfest 2019, the world’s largest short film festival.

Started in 1993 by Australian film-maker John Polson, it’s one of Australia’s most iconic cultural events that creates platforms for filmmakers to generate new content and share their stories. These ‘stories’ are short films that must be less than seven minutes long and have to feature that year’s Tropfest Signature Item (TSI).

This year, Leela’s film Crush was the only entry by an Indian-origin film-maker. It won three awards – Best Actor for lead Shabana Azeez, Best Editing for Pip Hart and Best

Screenplay for Leela.

For Leela, it’s all been a ‘really big deal’. Interestingly, her plan to enter Tropfest was… well, unplanned. “I had just finished working on a kids TV show Totally Wild as a presenterproducer,” she recounts. “It was the first time I was totally free – no job, nothing. After always having worked, it felt strange and so I wanted to fill the void and do something productive. I wanted to make something that would launch my career as a writer-director. It was totally spontaneous and last minute. The deadline was super close so I hustled around and got a crew of 20-odd together. We shot the entire film in one day!”

For Leela, everything fell into place so well that “it just felt like it was meant to happen”.

Crush is the story of Lizzy, who’s obsessed with novelty candles. But the truth is her “burning” desire isn’t just for candles - it’s for the girl selling them. The story follows her as the question remains: will she work up the courage to ask her out or will she just buy out the whole store?

(Note that this year’s TSI was ‘candle’).

You can’t miss the fact that the protagonist is from an ethnic background and queer. But Leela is quick to clarify that her story isn’t about “being queer” or “ethnically diverse”, rather it’s just a love story. She did, however, in a subtle way want to challenge stereotypes. “We make assumptions and generalisations – like a person from an ethnically diverse background doesn’t generally play the lead, or that a gay person is supposed to look a certain way. With Crush, I wanted to thrash those stereotypes out.”

But for Leela, whose father is Indian and mum Lebanese, it wasn’t easy to go through with the film, not at first at any rate. “I thought

about going with a boy-girl story first, even though the original idea involved two girls,” she reveals. “I think I was scared. Add to that the fact that I come from a multicultural background. Even when this interview with Indian Link was scheduled, I wondered, ‘Hmm… is an Indian newspaper going to be willing to write about a film about queer people? Is an Indian audience going to be okay reading it?’” she laughed.

Eventually, she says, the film felt unauthentic and she decided to stick to the original idea. “It just wouldn’t have had the same impact,” she says, “more so because of the ending which I obviously can’t give away right now. When you see the film, you’ll get it.”

As for her parents’ reaction to the film, Leela laughs yet again. “You know, I think they didn’t actually get it. But that’s okay. They’re very proud of me, but dad didn’t even know what Tropfest was. Having said that, Crush really isn’t a film for parents, it’s made for a younger demographic. And that’s okay.”

And for her target audience, Leela had hoped the film “makes them laugh”, which it did. “I’m not trying to make some groundbreaking political statement. I am just trying to surprise people. That it might make them think about other issues, is a bonus.”

Leela, who’s already scored a funding for a new web series pilot starting this year, says mediums like web series and short films are perfect for the new generation. “Viewers today have shorter attention spans. They want something snippy, engaging and easy to watch. It’s why new platforms like these are so popular now. Bear in mind, though, you can tell a lot in seven minutes.”

A second later, she adds with a smile, “And of course, it doesn’t cost as much as a feature film!”

“Viewers today have shorter attention spans. They want something snippy, engaging and easy to watch. Bear in mind, though, you can tell a lot in seven minutes.”

WHAT’S ON

FESTIVAL

Melbourne Holi festival

Sun 10 Mar (11.30am - 7.30pm)

Enjoy Holi with your loved ones this year. At The Paddock, Federation Square. Details 0411 429 598.

Holi mela 2019

Sun 17 Mar (10.30am - 6.30pm)

Come along with your family to celebrate the day of colours with scrumptious food, camel rides, children’s rides, DJs and non-stop music at the Holi Mela 2019. At Tatterson Park, Cheltenham Rd, Keysborough, Victoria. Details 0411 429 598.

Holi

Thu 21 Mar (11.45am - 1.30pm)

Celebrate colour, love and triumph of good versus evil through the Holi Festival! Brighten up your day by throwing some colour around while enjoying free food and Indian music. At Holmesglen Institute, 1 Batesford Road, Chadstone. Details 03 9564 1555.

STAGE

Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan

Sitar Recital

Sun 3 Mar (5.00pm onwards)

Described as ‘Indian music personified’, Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan comes to Melbourne for a scintillating Sitar performance. Accompanying him on the tabla will be Shri Hindole Majumdar, a disciple of tabla maestro Shri Shankha Chatterjee. At James Tatoulis Auditorium, Methodist Ladies College, 207 Barker Road, Kew. Details 0437 093 549.

Joshinder

Thu 7 Mar (6.30pm - 8.00pm)

On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2019, watch Joshinder, a solo dance performance by renowned dancer, choreographer, actor, writer and producer Joshinder Chaggar. At Fitzroy Town Hall Reading Room, Fitzroy. Details 1300 695 427.

Babbu Maan Live In Concert

Sun 17 Mar (6.30pm onwards)

Enjoy a thrilling live performance by Babbu Mann. At Plenary, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Convention Centre Place South Wharf. Details 0421 983 039.

Harmony Day Celebration

Thu 21 Mar (7.00pm - 9.00pm)

Join in for a night of global music and storytelling celebrating the diversity of Boroondara.

Vinod Prasanna, an exquisite flautist who will perform Indian classical, world and meditation music in both traditional and contemporary styles of Hindustani, accompanied by tabla player AmanKalyan. At The Parkview Room, 8 Ingles by Road, Camberwell. Details 9278 4794.

EXHIBITION

Visions of Paradise

Till 26 Apr (10.00am - 5.00pm)

The exhibition features a selection

of works from a major 1980 Felton Bequest acquisition of over 270 paintings that document the princely lifestyles of the Rajput courts of Bikaner, Marwar (Jodhpur), Jaipur, Kotar and Mewar (Udaipur). At NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road. Details www. ngv.vic.gov.au.

A Kantha Garden for Her

Thu 7 Feb to Sat 2 Mar (Tuesday to Friday, 11.00 am -5.00pm and Saturday, 11.00am - 3.00pm.)

Artist Natasha Narain presents paintings that address the Kantha textile tradition of India, an intergenerational form of story-telling. The Kantha textile tradition saw a personal and inter-generational, womencentred practice with narratives embroidered on worn, at times stained and frail muslin sarees. Venue: Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, Corner of Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. Details 03 9706 8441.

MISC

Haadu Baa Kogile

Melbourne’s first ever Kannada musical event held every last Saturday of the month. All welcome. Organised by Ankura Music School. Details 0432 192 424.

The Indian Music Collective Melbourne

The Indian Music Collective Melbourne provides space for practice/jamming in a friendly environment for musicians to meet and practice. Anyone who plays a Hindustani classical music instrument or can sing Hindustani classical music at any ability/level is welcome at St John’s Catholic Primary School, 77 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill. Listeners are also welcome. Gold coin to contribute towards tea/coffee/ snack costs. Contact Harjinder Bhogal at oldmanindia@gmail.com

UNIVERSITY

Australia India Institute’s Drop in Chai

First Friday of every month (2.00pm - 3.00pm)

Come chat to other South Asia enthusiasts over samosa and chai and catch up on what different people are doing in relation to India (feel free to bring announcements or new publications!). The chai and conversation is free and open to students, staff, faculty, and members of the public at Upstairs Seminar Room, Australia India Institute 147-149 Barry St, Carlton. Details 03 9035 8047 or visit www.aii.unimelb.edu.au

Privacy in India: a seminar Thu 14 Mar (6.00pm - 7.00pm)

New Generation Network scholar

Dr Pawan Singh will offer an overview of the Indian privacy debate and examine the medias

cape and legal terrain on which privacy finds itself. At Australia India Institute Seminar Room, 149 Barry Street, Carlton. Details www. aii.unimelb.edu.au

Monash Multicultural Indian Club (MMIC) 2019 Membership

Mon 25 Mar 1.30pm – Sat 30 Mar 11.00pm: A platform where you can find a new family of friends, celebrate occasions, and taste cuisines with new international meet-ups of cultural exchange. Here, it’s easy for you to learn about other cultures but also to share your own. At Monash University Caulfield Campus 900 Dandenong Road, Caulfield East. Details at club.mmic@monsu.org

COMMUNITY

Indian Women's Support Group

Mon 18 Mar (11.30am - 1.30pm)

Mental Health Foundation

Australia presents Indian Women's Support Group for social interaction and combat isolation. At Penrose Community Centre, 83 Penrose Promenade, Tarneit. Details 03 9826 1422.

Indian Professionals in Victoria (IPV)

A not-for-profit, membershipbased and member-owned association that aims to train and support Indian professionals and entrepreneurs through workshops, seminars, webinars and mentoring programs. Membership details www.ipv.org.au

Indian Community Mental Health Support Group

For families and carers both who are experiencing mental health concerns. Every First Friday of the month. From 2.00pm-4.30pm.

At Yarra Plenty Reginal Library (Mill Park Library), 394 Plenty Rd, Mill Park. Details Carer helpline 1300 554 660 or email carers@ mindaustralia.org.au

Indian Young Women’s Group

Fridays 12.30pm-2.30pm

The Indian Young Women’s Group is organised free by Wyndham Community and Education Centre (Wyndham CEC) every Friday afternoon at the Wyndham Park Primary School, Community Hub Room, Kookaburra Avenue, Werribee. Contact the Wyndham Community and Education Centre, 3 Princes Highway Werribee, wyndhamcec.org.au or call 03 9742 4013.

Let’s Feed

A volunteer-driven campaign and fundraising group working to organise activities, source food and deliver it to different agencies and also assist family violence victims with food related needs.

Let’s Feed fills food-related gaps in existing services using micro donations. Let’s Feed collects non-perishable food from local groups at temples, participating grocery stores and delivers to Youth Resource Centre, Asylum

Seekers Resource Centre and other agencies.

Visit: letsfeed.org or email: jasvinder.sidhu@letsfeed.org

LANGUAGE

Gurukul Hindi Classes

Saturdays 11.00am-12.00 noon

Connections@Craigieburn, 59 Craigieburn Road, Craigieburn VIC 3064. These weekly classes are taught by Manisha Gard and Bhupinder Kahlon. Contact Narinder Garg 0431 123 045 or infothegurukul@gmail.com

Let’s Talk:

Conversational English

Saturdays 10.00am-11.30am

Practice and develop your English speaking skills in a relaxed small group that has a warm and friendly atmosphere. Meet every Saturday at Werribee Church of Christ, 200 Tarneit Road, Werribee. This is for people who want to gain confidence and practice their English. All are welcome to attend, morning tea is provided and it’s free. Contact 03 9741 6051 or visit werribeechurchofchrist.org

Pronunciation Workshop

1st Sunday of the month 12.00 noon – 3.00pm

Are you learning English as a second language and are interested in working on your pronunciation? Join Kaled – a friendly ESL (English as a Second Language) expert who will help you work on your English language skills for free at the Library at The Dock, Activities Room, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands.

MISC

Spice it up

Sat 2 Mar (5.00pm – 8.00pm)

Learn how to create your own garam masala from scratch. Plus, a feast after the session with plenty of chatter and perhaps the odd glass of wine. At Mansfield Secondary College (Hospitality Centre), 15 View Street, Mansfield. Details 03 5775 2022.

North Indian Thali - cooking workshop

Sun 3 Mar (10.00am - 2.00pm)

Cook the delicacies of traditional North Indian ‘thali’. Learn tips and tricks along with the nutritional and health benefits of spices and herbs. At Yarraville Community Centre, 59 Francis Street, Yarraville.

Details 03 9687 1560.

World Storytelling Day

Wed 20 Mar (2.00pm - 3.00pm)

Join international storyteller Dee Palanisamy, as she weaves tales from around the world to celebrate World Storytelling Day. Be enthralled with tales from Greek and Indian mythology and join in for a delightful morning of stories. At Mornington Library, Vancouver Street, Mornington. Details 03 5950 1710.

Why the beef with just beef?

Why don’t the ‘Hindus’ protest against the atrocities of the dairy industry?

BY DIPANJALI RAO

ANevada based organisation called ‘Universal Society of Hinduism’ has urged the Reserve Bank of Australia to produce ‘beef free’ currency notes. The $20 and $100 notes to be released contain traces of cow fat as an anti-static agent. A letter to the RBA by the founder of the organisation, Rajan Zed, urges the RBA to “show respect to the feelings of Hindus”. Of cows, it states, “Cow, the seat of many deities, is sacred and has long been venerated in Hinduism”. Curious.

This long-venerated beast apparently is only deserving of the respect of Hindus when it comes to the consumption of its flesh after slaughter. Milk, on the other hand, that magical, liquid white gold provided so magnanimously by the female bovineis celebrated by Hindus. Hindu ceremonies usually feature the munificent gifts of the ‘Gaumata’ - milk and yoghurt - consumed with ghee, err, glee. And ignorance, wilful or otherwise. As is the case with the Universal Society of Hinduism’s beef with beef.

If one really believes the cow is sacredand many Hindus do - one simply cannot ignore the dairy industry. Contrary to

popular belief, cows don’t just produce milk on tap (true story). They are impregnated, and because they’re mammals, like us, they have to give birth to produce milk.

Female calves born go on to be constantly impregnated like their mothers. As for male calves, they’re killed. The Australian dairy industry kills about 400,000 male calves a year. They’re trucked off to slaughter when they’re a tender five days old. It is legal to deprive them of food for up to 30 hours before slaughter. And they’re mammals, so the bond between mother and calf is strong. Cows and calves call out for each other for hours after separation. Digest that.

One cannot talk of sacred cows without acknowledging cow politics and ‘protection’ in India. Says Yamini Narayanan, Senior Lecturer in International Development at Deakin University, “Beef is politicised excessively - and wholly incorrectly - by Hindu nationalists to implicitly frame Muslims/ Christians as sole slaughterers of cows. By focussing on beef-beef-beef, milk conveniently gets depoliticised, or even celebrated as a sacred Hindu product, obscuring the role of milk - and Hindus - in cow slaughter.” While

India may pretend that it doesn’t slaughter dairy cows, Australia (and the USA, where the Universal Society of Hinduism is based) does. In nature, a cow’s lifespan is 20 to 30 years. In the dairy industry, cows are slaughtered between the ages of 4 and 5, when their milk dries up. Drink up!

Besides, this obscure organisation that claims to represent Hindus ignores the diversity in Hinduism, as other Hindu groups in Australia do. “They are peddling the idea that this is ‘Hinduism’ when it’s actually Brahminism,” says Sangeetha Thanapal, artist, activist and writer who works on the intersection of race, gender and the body in Asia and Australia. “They do not speak for many lower caste Hindus for whom meat is quite normalised.”

On the aversion to meat, she explains, “Vegetarianism is historically very upper caste, and has filtered down the castes. It’s why being vegetarian is seen as a sign of caste and class. It is connected to notions of purity, with the lower castes being seen as ‘impure’ as their bodies are polluted with meat.” Chew on that.

The protest letter itself gets curiouser

and curiouser. It also accuses the RBA of not doing enough research to understand their consumer base: “Most of the large companies world over did extensive consumer research before launching a new product” (sic). Ah, the irony. If only Mr. Zed and the Society took their own advice and did a bit of research into the state of dairy cows, they might have written to a completely different organisation. Espoused veganism even, perhaps. Which would fit in very nicely with the Society’s mission of ‘empowering people to make positive social…and environmental changes”. Ironic, considering their letter advises the RBA, in a snarky tone, to “re-read and follow its own professed ‘values’”. (quotes theirs, not mine). Good advice.

The cruelty of the dairy industry aside, dairy has a huge role to play in our emissions: it accounts for nearly 12% of Australia’s emissions. Bottom line? “Take a more holistic approach,” says Sukhmani Khorana, author and Senior Lecturer at the University of Woollongong. “We should move towards a plant-based society for ethical and environmental reasons.”

Whatever your position is on cows or animal rights, looking at it purely through a religious or cultural lens is shortsighted. With the planet in crisis, it is our responsibility to question our habits and patterns of consumption and understand our impact on other creatures and the environment. After all, it’s our entire world at steak, err, stake.

Whatever your position is on cows or animal rights, looking at it purely through a religious or cultural lens is short-sighted

What Sonu did in Melbourne

PREETI JABBAL catches up with an old friend from uni

It was quite a special Valentine’s Day this time round, catching up with my college time friend Sonu Sood who was in town.

Nearly a quarter century later the Bollywood star seemed fit as a fiddle and looked younger than ever.

His elegant wife Sonali accompanied him and we did what we do for all our overseas visitors: shopping, and then a tour of our local wineries and fresh Yarra Valley produce.

Sonu is a teetotaller but was happy to come along to spend time with us. On the way we spoke non-stop, covering his life, my life, how we'd changed, what we wanted for ourselves and our children, and of course, his acting career.

I first met Sonu in my hometown in Nagpur, India. We had advertised for an audition for models for a fashion show that I was putting together as choreographer.

Sonu, who hails from Moga in Punjab, was studying Engineering in Nagpur at that time and he accompanied a friend who was auditioning.

Tall and very handsome, I spotted him straight away and was rather disappointed that he did not audition. After the event I asked him if he would like to be part of my show.

He agreed, albeit reluctantly, as he had not done any modelling before. I said to him, “Trust me, you will rock.” He did, taking to the stage like duck to water.

The lead up to the show is always more fun than the event itself, and we have some wonderful memories of early morning rehearsals, selecting the music, coordinating our routines and choosing the outfits.

During student days we have very little financially, but the experiences are so rich we treasure them forever. I remember Sonu and his friends would visit my home to enjoy homemade cooking - my mum was always happy to oblige.

He taught me how to ride a bike, I taught him how to catwalk. Ever the gentleman, he brought us flowers and made us laugh till our sides ached.

He continued to work with me on two more shows, gaining in confidence and chutzpah with each show. He was chosen to be the best model out of 24 in the second show.

Sonu, however, went on to win better than the best when he met Sonali in one of the shows. She was, and still is, absolutely gorgeous, and for him it was love at first sight.

Sonali was studying Mass Communications in the same University as my bestie Niti and I. Sonu would be there everyday rain or shine, wanting to meet his ladylove, and we happily got to play chaperone to the couple.

Life moved on, and so did we in different directions, with our careers and marriages. We lost touch in between and then reconnected years later on Facebook and Whatsapp.

In that time I had migrated to Australia and Sonu was pursuing his acting career, going from strength to strength. I followed the trajectory of his career with great pride, watching every movie and TV appearance possible.

Sonu may not be in leading roles in every film, however his choice of roles ensures he has good screen space with his co-stars.

Chedi in Dabangg, Durva Ranade Bhau in Simbaa, king in Singh is King, Kung Fu Yoga with Jackie Chan saw him in impactful roles.

A dedicated fitness freak, he endorses multiple renowned fashion and sports brands and is currently making a mark in South Indian films even learning to speak Tamil.

When I found out he was coming to Melbourne we reconnected and it was like old times again. We drove around Melbourne, shopped till we dropped, ate at nondescript food courts and had a blast.

When prompted he shared anecdotes on his filmi friends, attending Deepika and Ranveer Singh’s reception, Shahrukh and Salman Khan’s playful banter about his impressive physique, turning up at an event wearing the same designer jacket as Karan Johar, and his worldwide travels. He

confessed he loves shopping, particularly shoes – revealing he easily owns hundreds of pairs. He wanted to explore every shoe shop in Melbourne’s Bourke Street and Chadstone from Rubi Shoes to Armani.

He may have turned into a celebrity (with no less than 2.5 million followers on Insta), but he was as easy going as he was in our youth. The two days spent with him were most fun as he made us pose ‘Shahrukh style’, hugged us spontaneously, did side squats on streets and swung down escalators.

He was not fazed when we did not get a table at a local restaurant that was very busy. He happily sat with us sipping non-alcoholic drinks on the bar waiting for a table. To put it in context, this would be near impossible in India, where his fame precedes him and he gets VVIP treatment wherever he goes.

Sonali was delighted to spend quality time together without being hassled by mobs of fans or paparazzi. Both seemed to enjoy the ‘normality’ while we enjoyed their being normal.

Having said that he was equally at ease posing for selfies with people who recognised him. It was quite amusing to see how peoples’ faces lit up when they recognised him;some approached us to confirm it was ‘Sonu Sood’, and then got into a flurry to grab their phones to record their brush with celebrity. One couple even ignored their wailing newborn in a pram to get a photo with the popular actor.

No starry hang-ups, no diva-like tantrums, Sonu Sood was a cool celebrity, down to earth and full of fun.

Tall and very handsome, I spotted him straight away and was rather disappointed that he did not audition.

Photos: Ravinder Singh Jabbal

The southern coastline of Sri Lanka

Check out the stunning beaches, rich cultural heritage and abundant wildlife

and whale watching at Mirissa (between November to April).

BY PETRA O’NEILL

COLOMBO

I set out early on my first day in Colombo, heading for Galle Face Green, a strip of well-trodden lawn, with vendors selling ice cream, hot snacks and grilled seafood, and where locals mingle, play cricket and fly kites. I walked along the Green to the Fort, the heart of Colombo with a rich cultural heritage reflective in the architectural melting pot of Dutch, Portuguese and British influences, including the 17th century Dutch-built ramparts, Old Dutch Hospital, President’s House, Lighthouse Clock Tower and Grand Oriental Hotel.

Following the winding laneways and narrow streets of the Fort, I then entered the bazaar district of Pettah - a frantic, noisy and fascinating neighbourhood, with traders selling aromatic spices, fruit and vegetables, Ayurveda medicine and herbs. Following the disorientating lanes, I eventually arrived at Cinnamon Gardens - an upscale area with grand mansions, high-end boutiques, and sights including the grandiose Old Town Hall, Victoria Memorial and Viharamahadevi Botanical Gardens, with its giant Buddha.

One of the benefits of visiting Sri Lanka is how easy it is get around, as the island is so compact: cities are walkable, roads are generally good, and touring with a car and driver allows you to sit back, relax and take in the lush tropical scenery.

HAMBANTOTA

The following day I arrived at the islands’ South-Eastern tip, to visit the expansive grounds of the Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort and Spa that hugs the Indian Ocean, offering spectacular views.

That night, over a delicious Sri Lankan curry, Moshi Perena, the General Manager of the Shangri-La’s Hambantota Resort, recommended local suggestions for renowned National Parks. Yala National Park, which I explored the following day, has the world’s highest concentration of leopards, as well as boasting impressive numbers of elephants, sambars, sloth bears, jackals, and crocodiles. Bundala is an important wetland area for migratory birds, flamingos, pelicans, herons and egrets, and Udawalawe, is home to a large elephant population. Other local suggestions include surfing at Arugam Bay,

TANGALLE

After a tuktuk ride past orchards, rice paddies, tea plantations and rainforest, I arrived at Tangalle. We drove down a succession of scenic bays until we reached a narrow, winding road leading down to the Amanwella Resort with views that stretch out across a stunning crescent shaped beach of golden sand, regarded as one of Asia’s finest.

The town of Tangalle is attractive, with a large fishing fleet, colonial buildings, a busy market, and nearby temples. I visited the magnificent Mulkirigala Rock Temple– that rises steeply toward the sky, with reclining Buddha statues, and cave temples painted with ancient murals and after climbing 500 steps to the top I was rewarded with glorious views of the lush landscape below.

GALLE

The drive to Galle follows golden sandy bays, rocky headlands and a string of settlements that stretch along the coastline. Most of these settlements are rustic except Unawatuna, a former fishing village now bustling from international development and Koggala beach, a popular tourist destination to view the renowned stilt fishermen.

Founded in 1505 by a Portuguese captain seeking refuge from a storm, Galle became popular when it was discovered to offer a

TRAVEL FILE

rich array of spices, and was taken over by the Dutch in 1640 and the British in 1796. UNESCO has world heritage listed Galle, one of Sri Lanka’s highlights; a place that reveals itself slowly and well deserving of several days’ stay.

A fortified town that is best discovered on foot, start from the old ramparts which offer glorious sea views before descending to discover the labyrinth of alleyways, warehouses and low slung former merchant’s bungalows. As the winding streets run into one another, lined with boutiques and cafes, you will also see locals who call the streets home, thereby preserving the town’s unique, cultural charm.

As a port of call for passengers travelling by ship between Europe and Asia and Australia, Galle during the 19th century built several first class hotels, which have all been beautifully preserved and restored. The most splendid is Amangalla, formerly the New Oriental Hotel – the former residence of the Dutch governor, built in 1684. This hotel is one of Asia’s oldest and is simply exquisite, with the décor blending in perfectly with the original antique furnishings and fixtures, and a lush tropical

GETTING THERE Singapore Airlines

GETTING AROUND Driving your self in Sri Lanka is not advised, trains offer postcard views, but cover only part of the island. Buses are impossibly crowded. An English-speaking driver/guide is recommended. All hotels I stayed at can make touring arrangements and offer daily excursions.

WHERE TO STAY Sri Lanka offers exceptional accommodation choices with exemplary service. In Colombo, the historic Galle Face Hotel or brand-new Shangri-La Hotel are the best places to be. Along the southern coastline, the Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort and Spa is deserving of several days’ stay. At Tangalle, Amanwella is architecturally stunning in an idyllic location, and in Galle, Amangallais one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever stayed in.

garden of hibiscus, fragrant frangipani and mature banyan trees.

Amangalla also offers a variety of meals to be eaten along the gorgeous, long colonnaded verandah, from breakfast of tropical fruits, thick buffalo curd, drizzled with kitul palm syrup and savoury hoppers, to the afternoon tea of fluffy scones, to a dinner of assorted traditional Sri Lankan curries.

Feeling disinclined to leave I reluctantly bought a train ticket and hopped aboard to Colombo. The route hugged the coastline, as we passed swaying coconut palms along the beach, local markets and fishing villages. All along the way, waves lapped just metres from the track. I ended my time in Sri Lanka with a final night in Colombo at the Galle Face Hotel, a grand colonial seaside hotel dating back to 1864. As the bagpipes played and the flags were taken down and neatly folded, a longstanding tradition at the hotel, I enjoyed a fruit-filled cocktail and reclined in my wicker chair to watch the sunset casting its orange glow, and felt more relaxed than I had in a long time. Sri Lanka far exceeded expectations, and I know that I will soon return to enjoy the beautiful tranquillity the island has to offer.

DINING Sri Lankan cuisine is one of the most complex cuisines in Asia, drawing on influences from India, and from a long legacy of trade with Asia, the Netherlands and Portugal. Seafood is a highlight and vegetarians are well catered for.

WHEN TO GO Sri Lanka enjoys pleasant temperatures year-round, and has two monsoon seasons – South West between May to August and North East from October until December.

SHOPPING Tea and locally produced artisan products, including woven linens, batiks and traditional woodcarvings.

TRAVEL TIPS Obtain an electronic e-visa prior to arrival and bring a copy with you. Cost for a single-entry tourist visa is USD$35. Avoid changing money at the airport, upon entry or exit. I found the best rate from ‘Prasanna Money Exchange’ in Colombo.

Clockwise from top left: Shangri-La's Hambantota Golf Resort and Spa, Buddha at Mulkirigala Rock Temple, Galle Face Hotel, Amangalla at Galle, Colombo street, Playing cricket at Galle, Buffalo curd, Langur monkeys

That old but new feeling

BY NEHA MALUDE

I"’m a nationalist at heart,” says 45-year-old Mohit Pandit, founder of Melody Theatre, a world music project that has been the talk of the town following its recent musical release, Tiranga Mathe Sajo, a tribute to slain CRPF personnel in Pulwama.

He adds, “Three generations of my family are from the Army, so incidents like these affect me personally. It affected all of us. And that’s how Tiranga… happened.” You will find, though, that Tiranga doesn’t sound like a song. Mohit explains, “In the Army, there’s something called a battlecry; it’s sung when soldiers go to war or perish at war. CRPF, unfortunately, doesn’t get any such treatment. So, we came up with the idea of making a battlecry for them – and that’s what Tiranga is. It’s a two-minute composition and our version of a battlecry dedicated to these brave men.”

He adds, “There’s a verse in Bhagavad Gita: Tum kya lekar aye the, kya lekar jaoge? The truth is, people like you and me won’t take anything from this world. But these men will – they will take the tricolour with them. That was the essence of this Tiranga Mathe Sajo.”

The composition, which has garnered a whopping 36,000 views on social media in under a week, features the Melody Theatre trademark: lyrics that are simple yet meaningful, music that’s inspired from multiple cultures, and a distinctive underlying texture of rock.

It’s the common thread that runs across all the songs the band has composed to date, which are heavily steeped in culture – whether it’s Naam Mein Bhagat, a tribute to Bhagat Singh (which is also their first official release on the occasion of Independence Day in 2018 at the Consulate in Melbourne), Kanha Ji, Meera Ri, a delightful conversation in which Meera wants to know why Lord Krishna can never truly be just hers, or Tajdar-e-Haram, a modern reinterpretation of the classic Sabari Brothers qawwali by the same name.

The process of creating a composition always starts from a concept, Mohit reveals. “I think about a concept for at least two weeks so that I can build a word dictionary around it, live like that character to really understand the emotion.” Mohit explains using a littleknown conversation from the Sanskrit epic Ramayana between Lord Ram and Laxman, which also happens to be a

The composition Tiranga… a Pulwama tribute that has garnered a whopping 36,000 views on social media in under a week, features the Melody Theatre trademark: lyrics that are simple yet meaningful, music that’s inspired from multiple cultures, and a distinctive underlying texture of rock.

song he’s working on right now. “I’ve picked the concept, and now I have to present it in a way that can be easily communicated. The process is a mix of retaining the essence of the shloka and imagining. It’s a powerful, overwhelming feeling.”

Once the rough draft is built, Mohit builds a scratch track. “Everyone just sits together, jams, and throws around ideas about how it should sound. It’s a collective effort. And because everyone has such different music sensibilities, they bring varied textures to the composition.”

Mohit laughs and adds, “Our songs usually go over 10 minutes because we incorporate everyone’s input.”

It’s easy to draw similarities between the music of Melody Theatre with other bands which also often combine rock with Indian

instruments and music, like Indian Ocean (folk and rock) for instance. But there are two key things that set them apart. First, that there’s no electronically-produced music – what you see and hear is what you get. Second, their deliberate choice of simplicity and of telling meaningful stories that are rooted ancient traditions in their own trademark style.

Take Rasiya for example, which blends the rich, evocative ‘Music of Malwa’ and fresh sounds to create an absolutely joyful rendition.

It’s no mean feat to do what Mohit and his fellow musicians at Melody Theatre do. Their music is niche and the inspiration for their music, even more so. There are other challenges on the way. For starters, the indie music scene isn’t really thriving. In fact, Melody Theatre isn’t their main gig,

and doesn’t make any money right now. The band members invest their own hardearned money to make music they love.

“The kind of content we create doesn’t attract any outside investment. Production, distributing and marketing music is another big hurdle. We have a fan base that’s growing slowly, and we’ll get there in due time.”

Interestingly, Melody Theatre’s music could (and should) find resonance not just with youngsters wanting to establish a connect with their culture, but also the older generation, for whom Mohit’s music could easily create a sense of nostalgia. Mohit agrees. “My generation and yours – we’ve grown up watching shows like Mahabharata and Ramayana. But what about our kids? And even if we wanted to teach them, how do we do it? There is no content out there anymore.”

He adds, “In an interview I once came across, a musician said about their music, ‘I’m not writing anything new or different – my music is simply a reflection of the current society.’ By that logic, is the song Chaar botal vodka, kaam mera roz ka a reflection of our society? Woh kaunsa ghar hai jisme aisa hota hai? (What houses are these where this happens?) What sense does that make? And whose responsibility is it to introduce youngsters to good, meaningful content? Ours. That was our motive – to tell stories that truly reflect our values, our culture, our tradition and connect our younger generation to them.”

Some of the most profound aspects of India’s ancient culture get a modern treatment in the works of Mohit Pandit and his Melbourne-based band Melody Theatre

The BUZZ

IN BOLLYWOOD

A YOUNG KASHMIRI BOY MEETS A CRPF TROOPER….

The coincidence of it all is spooky. Hindi film Hamid, scheduled to be released on 1 March, will now be delayed.

Hamid is the story of a relationship that develops between an eight-yearold Kashmiri boy and a CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) trooper.

In the wake of the Pulwama attack, the makers of the film have pushed back its release of the film, which explores the conflict in Kashmir through the perspective of the little boy.

"The film was made with the attempt to bridge the gap of alienation because that is the very root cause of what is happening in the valley," director Aijaz Khan said.

"At this time, we feel that the very attempt of peace and the work that our jawans are doing is being undermined," Khan added.

Hamid, which is produced by Yoodlee Films, is a sensitive portrayal of the fragility of the human condition in the conflict-ridden Kashmir. The film stars Talha Arshad Reshi as the young protagonist, Rasika Dugal, Vikas Kumar and Sumit Kaul.

In the film, a little boy rings the “phone

number of God”, 786, to ask after his father, who his mother says has “gone to Allah”. One day, his phone call is answered…

Yoodlee Films had been planning a special screening for CRPF troopers in Srinagar, scheduled for four days after a suicide bomber rammed his SUV packed with explosives into a CRPF bus on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Pulwama district. 49 soldiers lost their lives.

Siddharth Anand Kumar, Producer at Yoodlee Films, said, "The attack to the CRPF troopers in the Pulwama district can only be termed as a heinous and dastardly act by those who have negated all sense of humanity within them. We at Yoodlee Films stand in solidarity with the families of the soldiers whose lives have been so cruelly erased."

Kumar said the film carries a message of peace and hope in the most unlikely circumstances.

"We are under attack now and this is neither the time nor the right atmosphere for us to release our film or for people to absorb the narrative of the film. We will take a call on the subsequent release date shortly," he said.

BOLLYWOOD TO JAWANS: WE STAND WITH YOU

It’s been amazing to learn of the entertainment industry’s response to the Pulawama tragedy. The team behind Total Dhamaal, this week’s new release, have announced a Rs 50 lakh donation for Pulwama martyrs' kin

"It is a sad thing to see the Indian soldiers suffer through this event and we are keen to do our bit in support," a spokesperson of the film unit said.

Actor-producer Ajay Devgn as well as colleague Riteish Deshmukh announced that the film will not release in Pakistan.

Total Dhamaal is the third instalment of the successful franchise Dhamaal, which originally starred Arshad Warsi, Javed Jaffrey and Riteish alongside Sanjay Dutt.

Amitabh Bachchan has announced he will be donating Rs 5 lakh each to the families of 49 CRPF troopers who died in Pulwama. Akshay Kumar made a Rs 5 crore donation, and Daljit Dosanjh announced Rs 3 lakh tothe CRPF Wives Welfare Association.

Salman Khan swung into action at his Being Human Foundation to mobilise funds for Bharat Ke Veer, the Indian Government’s fund for soldiers (bharatkeveer.gov.in)

Shabana Azmi and husband Javed Akhtar, usually proponents of close artistic ties with Pakistan, cancelled an upcoming tour of Karachi to take part in centenary celebrations of Shabana's poet-father Kaifi Azmi.

Singers Rekha Bhardwaj and Harshdeep Kaur have withdrawn their names from Shaan-e-Pakistan 2019 gala in Lahore next month. Rekha's multi-faceted husband and filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj was also planning travel to Pakistan for research on the Netflix series Midnight's Children, based on Salman Rushdie's novel. However, as of now the plan of the web series' showrunner stands cancelled, said a source in the know.

Music labels are also dropping works by Pakistani artistes and stopping collaborations with them. T-Series has already removed Pakistani artistes' videos from their various channels including some recently released songs - Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's single and Atif Aslam's Baarishein from YouTube. The promotions of these songs on television and radio have also been stopped.

Meanwhile the All Indian Cine Workers Association announced ban on Pakistani artistes in the country. The announcement comes a day after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) said Indian filmmakers must not work with Pakistani artistes and must not release their films in Pakistan.

GOING DIGITAL: ARJUN RAMPAL, EMRAAN HASHMI

Binge-watchers, get ready for more Indian content.

Actor Arjun Rampal is set to make his debut on a digital platform with a web series titled The Final Call. He plays the role of a pilot with a dark past, a psychological thriller that talks about mental illness, spirituality, and destiny.

The show is based on Priya Kumar's novel I Will Go With You: The Flight of a Lifetime.

The Final Call also features actors like Javed Jaffrey, Anupriya Goenka, Neeraj Kabi, Sakshi Tanwar, Bipin Sharma and Pradeep Rawat in pivotal roles.

Arjun said recently that he would like to explore all the avenues of film making, including directing. Arjun begun his career as a model and then forayed into Bollywood as an actor. He has recently turned producer with the film Daddy Meanwhile Emraan Hashmi is on the final schedule of his maiden Netflix show show Bard of Blood, an adaptation of Bilal Siddiqi's novel of the same name. Set against the backdrop of the Indian subcontinent, the multilingual series will tell the story of an expelled spy Kabir Anand, who is recalled from his new life as a Shakespeare professor in Panchgani to save his country and long lost love.

On making his debut in the web world, Hashmi said, "It's different. Through a web show, we are not only pitching the content to the Indian audience, but to audiences in over 180 different countries. Web shows can't be only Indianised versions... A fair balance should be maintained in terms of performances and content."

He added, "I am sure our audience will like it and I hope international audience like it too."

SRIDEVI'S SARI BEING AUCTIONED A YEAR AFTER HER DEATH

A handwoven Kota sari, one of Sridevi's favourites, went to auction online, just ahead of her first death anniversary in late Feb. The collected funds will be directed towards a charitable cause.

According to Parisera, a Chennaibased online platform, which specialises in Indian handicrafts and is hosting the

P-TO-DATE NEWS ON WHAT’S HOT AND HAPPENING

ARJUN

auction 'Being Generous, With Sridevi', the Kapoor family has decided to donate the proceeds from the auction to Concern India Foundation, a charitable trust which has programs for the benefit of women, children, the differently abled, the underprivileged and the elderly and works in the fields of education, health and community development.

The bid started at Rs 40,000, is underway and had reached Rs 130,000 by the time of going to press.

A description of the Kota sari reads: "It is light, bright and emanates the perfect essence of Sridevi."

To mark a year since Sridevi left, Boney and his daughters - Janhvi and Khushi - held a puja in Chennai earlier this month.

Sridevi, Bollywood's first female superstar, died aged 54 on February 24, 2018, by way of accidental drowning in a bathtub in a Dubai hotel, leaving the film industry, her family and legions of fans in a state of shock.

AND NOW, A MODI BIOPIC

Regular reports are coming out of the production house that is planning the film PM Narendra Modi.

You probably know by now that actor Vivek Anand Oberoi will be playing the title role of Modi.

Veteran actress Zarina Wahab will be seen playing the role of Prime Minister

Narendra Modi's mother Heeraben Modi. Television actress Barkha Bisht Sengupta will be playing Modi's wife Jashodaben.

Actor Prashant Narayanan has been roped in to play the antagonist.

"His role is a fictional character of the biggest business tycoon of the country called Aditya Reddy," said a source close to the film.

The film also stars Manoj Joshi (as BJP chief Amit Shah), Prashant Narayanan, BomanIrani, Darshan Kumar, Akshat R. Saluja, Anjan Shrivastav, Rajendra Gupta and Yatin Karyekar. PM Narendra Modi, the biopic will discover the journey of Narendra Damodardas Modi from his humble beginning to his years as Gujarat Chief Minister onto his landmark win at the 2014 general election, finally becoming the 14th Prime Minister of India.

It is being directed by National Awardwinner Omung Kumar and produced by Sandip SSingh and Suresh Oberoi. The biopic will be shot extensively in Gujarat and across locations within the country.

WORTH WAITING FOR? YOU DECIDE!

Bipasha Basu will be making a comeback on the big screen after four years with Aadat, which stars her husband Karan Singh Grover. The pair

was last seen together in Alone, which released in 2015.

Directed by Bhushan Patel, Aadat is a romantic thriller. The film also stars former Miss India Natasha Suri and former Bigg Boss participant Sonali Raut. Singer Mika Singh has turned producer with the film.

Bipasha claimed she enjoys working with hubby Karan, and says he is a dream co-star.

"He is a wonderful spontaneous actor and a live-wire on set,” she said recently. “He can make any boring day exciting on set. He keeps the energy levels up for everyone and every unit member."

Hmmm, okay. Let’s see if this onset bonhomie translates to on-screen success…

Meanwhile in Saand Ki Aankh, Tapsee Pannu and Bhumi Pednekar will bring us the story of Chandro and Prakashi Tomar - the country's oldest women sharpshooters.

Tapsee claims it is being one of the most intense roles of her career. “I am taking each day as it comes and trying to give my best,” she revealed recently.

Oh, in case you’re wondering about that esoteric sounding film title, it means ‘Bull’s Eye’.

ON TWITTER THIS WEEK

Match the following stars to the tweets below

Priyanka Chopra, Twinkle Khanna, Rishi Kapoor

Congratulations Greg Cannom for your fourth Oscar for the film 'Vice'. You did 'Kapoor & Sons' with me. Bravo.

Congratulations to the team of @ NoShamePeriod for winning the #AcademyAwards". Your machine @ murugaofficial has made it to the Oscars!

This... right now, is a proud moment for me & for team @PurplePebblePic. Our latest production, #Firebrand, is the first-ever @NetflixIndia original in Marathi. Do watch and I'd love to know what you think!

LAST ISSUE CAPTION CONTEST WINNER

RAMPAL

BIPASHA BASU

EMRAAN HASHMI

SRIDEVI

Chocolate love

RASPBERRY AND VANILLA CHOCOLATE BLISS BALLS

Ingredients

n ½ cup cashew butter (homemade or store bought is fine)

n 3 tbsp rice malt syrup

n ½ cup desiccated coconut

n ½ cup coconut flour

n ½ tsp vanilla paste

n Zest of 1 lime, plus juice of a half

n ¼ cup freeze dried raspberries

n 1 bar of Pana Chocolate

n ½ tsp coconut oil, melted

Method

1. Place cashew butter, rice malt syrup, lime juice and zest into bowl & mix together.

2. Break off 2 squares of Pana Chocolate, chop into small cubes.

3. Combine the dry ingredients, crumble the freeze-dried raspberries and sprinkle in the chopped chocolate, and massage together with hands to combine.

4. Divide the mix into 10 portions, then roll into balls and place them in the fridge.

5. Melt remaining chocolate in a bowl over another bowl filled with boiling water, add coconut oil to help it melt to a nice smooth consistency.

6. Take the bliss balls from out of the fridge and drizzle the melted chocolate over them with a spoon.

7. Return to the fridge to set the chocolate.

CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES

Ingredients

n 150g organic dark chocolate, chopped roughly

n 500g fresh organic strawberries (stems on), washed

n Optional: 50g organic milk or white chocolate, melted

Method

1. Add dark chocolate to a heat-proof bowl over simmering water, stirring until chocolate is smooth and melted.

2. Holding strawberries by their stem, dip each one in the melted chocolate (about ¾ of the berry) then lightly place on a baking paper-lined wire rack, stem side down. Place wire rack in the refrigerator until chocolate is hardened.

3. Optional: drizzle melted milk or white chocolate in crisscross lines across the hardened chocolate, then place back in the fridge until set.

RAW BROWNIES

Ingredients

n 2 cups organic walnuts

n 1 cup organic raw cacao

n ¼ tsp sea salt

n 2 ½ cups Medjool dates, pitted

n 1 cup organic walnuts, roughly chopped

Method

1. Blend 2 cups of walnuts until finely ground. Add cacao and salt to blender until combined.

2. Add dates gradually to blender. Mixture will appear crumbly, but should be slightly sticky when pressed. Add more dates if needed.

3. Transfer to a large bowl and add the roughly chopped walnuts. Press into a lined baking tin and refrigerate or freeze until ready to serve. Sprinkle with extra cacao powder lightly then enjoy!

Yes, chocolate can boost your health, from improving your mood to being anti-inflammatory, lowering blood pressure, thinning the blood, reducing stroke risk and helping stop a cough. So what are you waiting for?

March 2019

BY MINAL KHONA

Minal Khona has been reading tarot cards for the last two decades. She uses her intuition and connect with the cards mostly to help people.

ARIES

March 21 - April 19

You want to push ahead and make it big; and inner and outer conflicts and seeking clarity occupy your mind. But you maintain a balance and even let go of past wounds. New friends, mending fragmented relationships and setting things straight all around keep you busy. Drive with caution. Apprehension and frustration at work causes anxiety. A low grade infection needs medical attention. You will see things as they really and then pick a course of action at work or in love.

July 21 - Aug 22

Anxiety due to restrictive conditions and things not going as per plan can add to your frustration. Someone younger will try to win your heart. Good news that you have been waiting for will come. Take some much needed rest - you might be nurturing a loved one back to recovery. Things will work out in your favour and success will follow. Friends and professional contacts are supportive. Everything comes together as renewal in your present condition is predicted.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov 22 - Dec 21

TAROT

TAURUS April 20 - May 20

A slightly turbulent time for Taureans, especially those in touch with their inner selves, is on the anvil. A relationship you had hoped would work out, will fizzle out. A trip could be fraught with stress. Conflicts at work require control over your emotions. A huge disappointment from someone you counted on will devastate you. Health woes in the form of sleeping disorders, cysts or lumps could besiege you. You successfully shrug off old grudges. Accept things the way they are right now.

VIRGO

Aug 23 - Sep 22

A Leo kind of personality could influence you this month. Challenges at work, in family matters and finance are predicted. A past emotional attachment will prevent you from committing to a new one. But you could be moving on and looking at marriage again. You could confront someone over money matters and it might become a legal issue. Self-help books keep you busy. Money owed to you will come through. Spiritual forces help you succeed as you display inner strength and fortitude.

CAPRICORN

Dec 22 - Jan 19

Healing and a sense of peace are on the anvil as you concentrate on self-love and spiritual awakening. A personal dilemma will work out better than you expect. If you feel misunderstood, share your feelings with close friends. A new beginning will bring happiness. A family member or pet causes you many anxious moments. Avoid bingeing or drinking too much. You can expect payments to come your way. Success comes through friends and professional acquaintances. Improvements in many areas are foretold.

You behave with the intense secrecy usually displayed by Scorpios this month. The occult attracts, or you could get attracted to someone who is November born. Adverse conditions and discord take you by surprise but avoid playing martyr. You seek work that is more meaningful. Singles could be considering getting married. If losing weight suddenly, seek medical assistance. Money and financial assistance is abundant.

GEMINI

May 21 - June 20

A Pisces kind of person or traits of Pisceans could influence Geminis this month making them more artistically inclined or indulge in creative activities. Health and business affairs keep you busy; you could even find romance at your place of work. An expensive trip brings about a new discovery. Self-assertion is a challenge but happier times ahead are foretold. Issues with your legs could affect your health. Any work in the self-discovery area is successful; don’t take on more than you can chew.

LIBRA

Sep 23 - Oct 22

A Virgo kind of personality could influence Librans and make them extra finicky. The passing away of someone you know or love could upset you greatly. You might consider a new line of work. A health problem affects your work plans but you’re able to forge ahead regardless. Payments are delayed and you will act on the matter. A change in attitude is predicted for some. Relinquish your ego and let the divine guide you through a tough time.

AQUARIUS

Jan 20 - Feb 18

Believe in destiny and wait for the universe to reveal what’s in store for you. A short trip for work is predicted. If in a relationship that is currently rocky, you might wonder whether to stay or break-up; don’t be impulsive. Time will reveal what needs to be done. Gynaecological issues could plague female Aquarians. Business that has been slow will pick up. Changes are happening at a deeper level and help will come if you need it. Intuition levels are high.

CANCER June 21 - July 20

Cancerians will focus on manifesting their desires, property matters and finance. A new love affair or a rekindled relationship is imminent. You could revive your existing one and start again. Expect a raise at work; you will be able to assert yourself at work. Control stress level and don’t let it affect your health. Setbacks in romance are temporary. Try and maintain a consistent attitude. The universe will give you more than you expect; you have to only imagine it.

SCORPIO

Oct 23 - Nov 21

March is a very busy month for Scorpios as they take on more than they can handle at the moment. Planning, executing and plodding through difficulties to move towards progress. A shift of residence is indicated for some. You might look for a different line of work. A relationship is dead in the water and you know it. Fatigue is because of being overburdened at work. Finances cause anxiety. Persevere till things are resolved or completed to your satisfaction.

PISCES

Feb 19 - March 20

Pisceans display an unusual practicality due to a Capricorn influence. A confident approach towards a hurdle in a relationship helps you out. A friend wants to connect you with someone for work or romance – it is a positive experience. You struggle to get out of a slump but something or someone will brighten your mood. If you are having throat or ear problems, it probably means that you are suppressing what you want to say or not willing to hear what you need to.

ASK AUNTYJI

Yak yak Priyanka

DEAR AUNTYJI

My husband and I were recently discussing Priyanka Chopra, and how she seems to be everywhere, and we wanted your rai. Both Neil and I happened to come across the YouTube video of Priyanka on Jimmy Fallonand we were both really disappointed in her. She was wearing something that revealed a lot, in particular her fake silicon charms, and we thought she was bringing shame on Indians everywhere. Why does she have to be everywhere - on TV, on YouTube, Facebook, everywhere. And she is now even writing a book. I think she is overexposed, and sometimes, literally. What are your thoughts?

AUNTYJI SAYS

Yakhuda - in shaitaan ki aulad ko muaf kijiye, because they are such jahiliya ki they don't realise they do not have the huq to judge anyone. You na samajh paapin! Kyun mujse panga le rahi ho? You know nothing good will come from this, nah? Priyanka is one of the finest actresses of her generation. Have you

MATRIMONIALS

SEEKING GROOMS

Parents of 33-year-old highly qualified Vegetarian Hindu girl working and well settled in good locality in Sydney, seeking an educated, teetotaller and good family background boy. Prefer Australian citizen or PR. Please contact ausshubham123@gmail.com

Seeking a suitable match for a 33-year-old girl, 5’6”,Melbourne based CPA working as a Consultant. The boy should be well qualified professional settled in Australia with a minimum height of 5’9”. Contact n.bhandari085@gmail.com or + 61433391881

Seeking a well settled, professional match for 28-year-old Vegetarian Punjabi girl. She is an Australian citizen. Her complexion is wheatish. She has completed a BA and BEd in Primary Education. She is soft spoken and gentle. Currently working as a Purchasing Officer in a private company. PR or Citizen only. Email: meena.khepar@hotmail.com or contact 0401 680 297 after 6pm.

Seeking a suitable match for a 29-year-old, height 5’10” girl from a well settled family. She has done B.Com., Masters in SocialWork and is working in Emirates Airways as cabin crew, Dubai UAE. Only elder sister settled in Luxembourg, parents leading retired life in Vadodara. Please contact on +91 9826836130, mehta.hemant2@gmail.com

Seeking professionally qualified settled match for Sydney based, never married Aus Citizen, Hindu, Punjabi Khatri 45, 5'3" slim, fair, attractive girl. Girl is postgraduate and

not seen Barfi? Have you not seen Mary Kom? She is a wonderful actress and the only Indian entertainer to have crossed to mainstream Hollywood in recent years. Here she is, minding her own business, perfecting her craft, trying to keep everyone entertained with her talent - and bewakuf log like you and your husband come along and judge her. And what vast personal experience do you and your na samajh hubby have that you know silicon from real? Tumhare paapi man me to sub kuch silicon lag raha hoga, nah? Look, unless you yourself have entertained millions of people, and have achieved fame east and west, then you have no right to judge Priyanka. Leave her alone. And if she is on TV, YouTube, Facebook, then you need to review your own social media accessibility habits, you bud tehzeeb. Go hide in sharam in the corner for exposing your backward samajh.

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR AUNTYJI? EMAIL INFO@INDIANLINK.COM.AU

is working on a good position in government organisation. Please send details with photo - Indsyd2016@gmail.com.

Wanted professionally qualified, well settled match for a a pretty, smart, charming B Tech (CS), 30 years old 5'7", Anshik Manglik Agarwal girl, Working with NAB in Sydney. If interested, Please contact +91 9990953751 or +91 8505911149 OR email on 1952@ gmail.com or Chatterji.anita9@gmail.com

SEEKING BRIDES

Seeking 25-30-year-old Hindu/Punjabi girl from Australia for our 32-year-old Specialist Doctor son, 5’9", born and brought up in Sydney. Please respond: gupta_rsr@hotmail. com or ph 0414282510

Alliance invited for well educated, divorced, 5' 9", 1975-born Sikh Khatri boy. Working and self-employed earning 100k per year. Looking for compatible Sikh girl from Australia. Early marriage. Phone: 0422102242 or Email: ghai07@yahoo.com

Indian Christian Protestant parents, seeking a suitable match for their 38-year-old son, a Software Engineer, born and brought up in Australia. Seeking Protestant girl between 28-34 years. Email: sammy5073@gmail. com, Mob: 0403836360

Seeking professionally qualified settled match for Sydney based, never married Aus Citizen, Hindu, Punjabi Khatri 44, 6', athletic built boy. He is project manager with engineering background and is working in a private organisation. Please send details with photoIndsyd2016@gmail.com.

Box-ticking, or true recognition?

DEAR AUNTYJI

My name is Jaitun Nisha and I am a data scientist working a large bank in Sydney. I am also a hijaban - which means I wear the hijab to work. Now our bank has been talking about our diversity measures, and last week, my manager advised me that I was getting a promotion and that I was being put forward for a management role. Auntyji, I have been working really hard, and at first I was really pleased with this recognition - however, I have begun to think about this and am wondering whether they are giving me a promotion because I am a token Muslim and I help make their diversity numbers look good. I don't want my colleagues to think that's the only reason I got the promotion. What should I do - should I turn down the role?

AUNTYJI SAYS

Taubatauba! What is going on in the month of February that I am getting all sorts of dimwits writing to me about crazy stuff. Well, listen to me, and listen to me real good Jaitun Nisha. While it's true that organisations want to improve

their diversity measures, this must not come at the risk of tokenism. It is always going to be a meritocracy - because everyone will see through any box ticking exercise. So if your naseeb khul gayi hai and you have been offered a promotion, then masha Allah, you must give thanks for it, acknowledge the barakat that has come your way and work damn hard to ensure no one will ever think you got the role because you tick a diversity box. You yourself have said that you have worked hard - and do you know how rare it is to find good data scientists? So here you are, being smart, working hard, getting recognised and you immediately allow the shaitaan to colour your thinking? Now that's not very scientist-like, is it? In fact, if you really are a data scientist, you will also know that diversity metrics need to yield results - and if there is tokenism, very soon, the whole thing will fall apart, like a boondi laddoo in the hands of a fat little petu. So stop thinking like an unpadh ganwar and accept your recognition and show the world what Jaitun Nisha the ninja data scientist can do. Salaam.